Fire Pope right now! Why wait?

[Coach Ken Reeves]

Why postpone the inevitable? Let's get something positive going for this team. If the AD has the guts to do it now, he will show that losing at UK is unacceptable. I like Mark Pope, but it's time for the dark cloud of Pope's tenure to be removed from the program.

 

[Wildcatmenace]

Why postpone the inevitable? Let's get something positive going for this team. If the AD has the guts to do it now, he will show that losing at UK is unacceptable. I like Mark Pope, but it's time for the dark cloud of Pope's tenure to be removed from the program.

Exactly. What the hell are we waiting for? Another embarrassing blowout? Another season down the drain? Pope looks completely out of his depth, and keeping him around just delays the inevitable. Cut our losses, let Mo finish the season, and start looking for a real replacement NOW.

 

[HolySmokes]

I cant even say I like Mark Pope. I can see through that nice guy mask.

 

[MidseasonTweak]

The best shot at being fired would be after we lose to Louisville. If he isn't gone after that, he will likely stay the entire year.

 

[Damage_inc]

As someone who never wanted him to begin with and actually wanted him gone after last season, firing him this early into the season is silly.

 

[Coach Ken Reeves]

As someone who never wanted him to begin with and actually wanted him gone after last season, firing him this early into the season is silly.

I disagree. There is no reason to suffer any longer. Rip the bandage off and start over.

 

[SECualHealing]

As someone who never wanted him to begin with and actually wanted him gone after last season, firing him this early into the season is silly.

Silly is rolling out a HC game after game making us the laughing stock of college basketball. How many times did the commentators joke about KU players laughing and having so much fun playing UK? They had zero respect for Pope and our team and it's going to be more of the same all season long.

 

[Snarks]

I’m actually never in favor of this, but in this case what harm does it do? We’re out the money for his buyout anyway.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Why postpone the inevitable? Let's get something positive going for this team. If the AD has the guts to do it now, he will show that losing at UK is unacceptable. I like Mark Pope, but it's time for the dark cloud of Pope's tenure to be removed from the program.

You would need to make a better case than that. If last night is an indication, Pope will be fired, but firing him now is not smart. Sending a message? To whom?

There is no doubt your message will resonate with a lot of Rafter posters. But, firing a coach after game three is unwise and frankly not smart. People who let emotions drive the big decisions are unwise.

 

[Beatle Bum]

I cant even say I like Mark Pope. I can see through that nice guy mask.

Tell us what you see when you “see through the nice guy mask.” I don’t have that super power. Explain what is REALLY going on.

 

[Beatle Bum]

The best shot at being fired would be after we lose to Louisville. If he isn't gone after that, he will likely stay the entire year.

False.

 

[HolySmokes]

Tell us what you see when you “see through the nice guy mask.” I don’t have that super power. Explain what is REALLY going on.

Hes a fraud. Hes shown his true colors plenty of times. Its not a super power at all to use common sense. The guy has been as snobby to fans as Cal ever was.

 

[mash_24]

He needs to be gone today. It’s over.

 

[Grevey1975]

He's not getting fired..In the history of UK basketball, it's never happened midseason so just accept we are stuck with this Clown Show till season's end..Just enjoy the ride in Football..Thank You Will Stein!!!

 

[katwest]

I don’t think Kentucky will ever fire a basketball coach in the middle of the year, especially one of our own. Not saying Pope won’t resign mid season. One thing though, you can’t get beat by 20 on national TV the third year of your coaching tenure at Kentucky in the third game of the season to a rival or you won’t get a fourth year. I don’t know if we have the players or coach to turn it around to be honest, we will see.

 

[MarkPftw]

I wish Pope would be fired today but it just isn't going to happen, unfortunately.

 

[HolySmokes]

He's not getting fired..In the history of UK basketball, it's never happened midseason so just accept we are stuck with this Clown Show till season's end..Just enjoy the ride in Football..Thank You Will Stein!!!

Football has never won a championship so it will never happen. See how that works? First for everything . Popes gotta go.

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

Pope is in over his head and shouldn't be the coach at Kentucky...

HOWEVER, that 17 million dollar buyout if they fire him right now gives pause. Most on here don't care because they don't have to pay it. Finding a Coach worth his salt to replace Pope AFTER firing a guy 3 games into his third season who has been above average (not great by any means) with back to back tournament appearances and a sweet 16 sets a dangerous precedent. Try telling the new guy, you have 2 years to hang a banner or you're out, good luck and gods speed.

And if Pope messes around and gets this squad to the sweet 16 he triggers another year added to his contract and the buyout stays the same. It's still going to be 13 million after this season if he doesn't make the sweet 16. Mitch handcuffed the athletic department. 37 million to buyout Stoops, Stein is on the low end of pay for SEC coaches, 17 million to buyout Pope, figure at least 10-12 million to buyout a decent coach to replace Pope, plus another 30 million minimum 5 year contract for the new coach. Rome is burning. Unless you get some boosters who REALLY want Pope gone and are willing to write some large checks to make it happen, he isn't getting fired anytime soon. And we are just going to have to endure whatever this crap show is.

 

[legalbeagle123]

He needs to resign for the good of the program.

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

let pope coach until the unc game. if he 10-2 or better he keeps his job. if its 9-3 its blatt's call. anything worse and i think he should be fired. the pressure and anger will just be too high. let mo williams coach the team and the fan base will rally around him and the players as we head into conference play. it will also give him and the team 2 cupcakes to adjust to the new coach.

just sad and depressing it has come to this

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

I imagine Jay Batt is busy this morning putting out feelers through the back channels to start gauging interest and narrowing the list. The official coaching search won't start for a while. But the unofficial one probably started early this morning.

 

[OGtruebluewildcat]

Start firing coaches two years in and it’s a long road that isn’t going to lead where you think.

Not in this era when dudes can make millions and recruit via/nil at low stress low pressure programs.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Y’all. Just bide time. This is over in 5 months. An in-season firing isn’t happening unless it gets really bad in SEC play.

Kicking and screaming for a firing after the third game of the season is grumpy toddler energy. It’s not a serious option.

Put on your big boy pants, get ready to deal with another dozen losses, and we try again to get the right coach this offseason.

 

[Resignmarkpope]

As someone who never wanted him to begin with and actually wanted him gone after last season, firing him this early into the season is silly.

Mark pope has to go!!! He’s complete trash!

 

[Resignmarkpope]

Start firing coaches two years in and it’s a long road that isn’t going to lead where you think.

Not in this era when dudes can make millions and recruit via/nil at low stress low pressure programs.

Mark pope is complete trash! Wake up

 

[MidseasonTweak]

False.

Which part?

 

[Cats4321]

Yep..do it now. Absolutely nothing to gain by keeping him. The fans and team will rally behind the interim coach.

 

[Kantucke_rivals]

Tbh for the first time, I'm beginning to consider the possibility that Pope may get fired before the end of the season.

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

Yep..do it now. Absolutely nothing to gain by keeping him. The fans and team will rally behind the interim coach.

yup.....vs every game the tone and anger from fans will bleed onto the players. home games will be brutal.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Hes a fraud. Hes shown his true colors plenty of times. Its not a super power at all to use common sense. The guy has been as snobby to fans as Cal ever was.

Those are all conclusions. Give me the evidence. If there are “plenty of times,” just give me some actual examples so I may see.

 

[HolySmokes]

Those are all conclusions. Give me the evidence. If there are “plenty of times,” just give me some actual examples so I may see.

Im alright. Theres always one. You're the one.

 

[L.O.D.]

Does Donovan have a job right now? If not then yeah- WHY WAIT . Let him take over now.

 

[MidseasonTweak]

Does Donovan have a job right now? If not then yeah- WHY WAIT . Let him take over now.

Donovan would change the culture of this place overnight.

 

[Damage_inc]

I disagree. There is no reason to suffer any longer. Rip the bandage off and start over.

That's just the thing. It's November. You cannot start over in November. You ride it out and let him go after the season. You spend all season planning for the inevitable. There's no value in doing it now. It's not like someone is coming in to save us in the meantime.

 

[Padsfs07]

I’m actually never in favor of this, but in this case what harm does it do? We’re out the money for his buyout anyway.

It’s a $17.6M buyout now. $13.5M after the season.

Plus we have buyouts already going to Stoops and Barnhart.

 

[Resignmarkpope]

It’s a $17.6M buyout now. $13.5M after the season.

Plus we have buyouts already going to Stoops and Barnhart.

Mark pope has to go! Kentucky Hoosiers

 

[Damage_inc]

Silly is rolling out a HC game after game making us the laughing stock of college basketball. How many times did the commentators joke about KU players laughing and having so much fun playing UK? They had zero respect for Pope and our team and it's going to be more of the same all season long.

Everyone knows what time it is. How UK handles this inevitable transition will matter to the next guy. I'm embarrassed too, just like everyone else. I pitched a fit when he was hired. But it is game 3. It's unheard of to do it now. Maybe it wont be in January, but for now it's too soon.

 

[Padsfs07]

Does Donovan have a job right now? If not then yeah- WHY WAIT . Let him take over now.

he is an assistant with the Spurs.

 

[Damage_inc]

Donovan would change the culture of this place overnight.

That dude has burned UK so many times. Don't get your hopes up

 

[Deh711]

J Batt has never fired a coach in season in his previous AD roles at Ga Tech and Michigan State. Pope will get the full season. Buckle up.